The latest reports suggest that FC Barcelona have beaten Manchester United to a €100 million (R1.46 million) rated superstar, who has already “agreed” to join the Catalan giants. The Red Devils came close to signing Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann before the 2017/18 campaign, but he opted to stay with the Rojiblancos after the Spanish giants were handed a transfer ban by FIFA. United reportedly remained keen on Griezmann’s services and were believed to be set to make a new attempt to sign the Frenchman in the coming transfer window.
However, a new report by French publication Le 10 Sport suggests that the 26-year-old has had an initial agreement with Barcelona in place since the European autumn (the latter months of 2017). Atletico have reportedly made several attempts to initiate contract talks with Griezmann in a bid to tie him down long-term and increase his €100 million release clause. However, the France international has apparently rejected all of the Rojiblancos’ advances, with the player even having reportedly already been house-hunting in Barcelona. If the Catalan giants do pay €100 million for the left-footed superstar, he would become the third most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Barcelona have released a statement denying they are closing in on a move for Antoine Griezmann. The France international, a long-term Manchester United target, is expected to leave the Spanish capital in the summer despite having only signed an improved contract little over six months ago. United are understood to be ready to pull the plug on their interest in the France international forward given the impending signing of Alexis Sanchez, with Jose Mourinho admitting on Friday he is likely to sign only two players in the summer.
Reports in the Catalan press on Saturday claimed Barcelona were reserving the No.7 shirt for Griezmann with January signing Philippe Coutinho having opted to take the famous No.14 number previously warn by club legend Johan Cruyff. Barcelona have moved swiftly, however, to address the latest speculation denying any agreement with Atletico has been concluded. ‘FC Barcelona denies the information appeared in the last hours in different media referring to the player from Atletico Madrid Antoine Griezmann and alleged links to our club,’ read the statement. ‘FC Barcelona expresses its discomfort in the face of these events and reiterates its respect for the institution of the Atlético de Madrid.’
